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September 22, 2026 – At the Savannah Historic District Review Board meeting in August, the Board approved the request of Clay Copeland, for the property owner at 603 Whitaker Street, to install 40 solar panels on his roof.
They had applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the MPC and for a Special Exception due to potential visibility from the public right-of-way.
The building was constructed in 1888 and is a contributing resource within the National Historic Landmark District and the local Savannah Downtown Historic District, it was stated. It faces the western edge of Forsyth Park and sits on a block comprised fully of contributing structures, save for three garages to the rear of the building.
Board member Robert Helms expressed concern that a precedent may be being set with the visibility. And, Board member Sabrina Nagel stated the light reflects into the structure to the south.
Copeland stated that they are non-reflective panels, and are similar in color to the current roof.
Helms asked if they are visible though non-reflective, and Copeland replied that they are visible as panels from the back street, but not reflective.
Nagel asked if the same service can be provided without being visible from the street?
Resident Kay Norton Taylor said she opposes the petition because local residences can view the solar panels, and asked why he doesn’t install thermopanel windows.
And, resident Betty Rowan, stated she can see the roof from the rear of her property, and certain angles at certain times of day will have reflection.
A Board member stated they are not opposed to solar panels, but that these are not appropriate, as historic properties are a valuable part of area, adding that Howard and Huntington streets are able to view/see the proposed panels, and the precedent is critical. Another Board member stated the panels are highly visible from Huntington Street and the lane, but another Board member differed, stating that the panels are reversible, non-reflective, and visually unintrusive.
The Board stated they would like other locations on the structure to be considered. They have no issue if the city is embracing solar as long as not they are not on front-facing facade, not reflective, not destroying historic material.
Caution was stated again that the panels are visible from two streets and creates a precedence – not a good one.
Another Board member presented a different view that a precedent is not being set, special exceptions by nature are not precedent-setting because they are case by case. This is not a primary facade.
The request passed 4 to 3:
Karen Guinn – Aye
Michael Higgins – Aye
Melissa H. Rowan – Nay
Thomas L. Thomson – Aye
Sabrina Nagel – Nay
Sara Woodfield – Not Present
Shedrick Coleman – Not Present
Mariel Hamer – Aye
Robert Helms – Nay
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